PARIS. Anyone who still had doubts about Novak Djokovic’s “GOAT” status was finally confirmed on Sunday at 5:02 p.m. The 37-year-old Serb is the greatest tennis player in history – and became Olympic champion in the late autumn of his glorious career.
This gold means everything to him, never before has the 24-time Grand Slam champion been seen so emotionally moved as after his 7:6 (3), 7:6 (2) triumph in the Wimbledon rematch against Carlos Alcaraz (Esp). It was an epic duel lasting 2 hours 52 minutes on the demanding clay of Roland Garros, after which the “Djoker” knelt down on Court Philippe Chatrier, Rafael Nadal’s living room, wept uncontrollably and trembled like a leaf.
The first stop was his team, his family and his daughter Tara, whom he kissed lovingly on the forehead before proudly waving the Serbian flag. “I’m speechless, it feels amazing. The puzzle is complete. I’m incredibly grateful that I was able to add to this incredible success. It was perhaps the hardest battle against myself, something of a lesson,” said the world number two, who once again lived up to his reputation as a “mentality monster.”
The end of a record hunt?
When things got tight or so-called “big points” had to be beaten, Djokovic performed at the highest level. It is definitely not his best season, but for this magical moment he called upon everything he had. The knee problems he had been struggling with after a meniscus operation a few weeks ago seemed to have vanished.
The superstar moved like a young wild man who could not be thrown off course on his mission. It was his last chance, he wanted this individual title so much – after silver in 2008 in Beijing and bronze in 2012 in London and 2021 in Tokyo.
The Golden Slam – success at all four major events (Melbourne, Paris, Wimbledon, New York) and the Olympics – is now complete. Djokovic has actually won everything there is to win. He could actually stop now. It’s hard to believe. His ambition is too great, his love of sport is too captivating, his greed for trophies is too strong. Or will he just give it up? Are there any records left for him to break? “Not really,” he says.
Chinese Festival
This is also being noticed in the People’s Republic of China, which surprisingly emerged as the number one tennis nation at these Summer Games. World number seven Zheng Qinwen, who had previously defeated Iga Swiatek (Pol/1), crowned herself Olympic champion with a 6:2, 6:3 win over Donna Vekic (Cro).
The 21-year-old was already in the Australian Open final this year, but “Queen Wen” – her nickname – was not quite as good on the Parisian clay. “I felt very comfortable on the court from day one and gradually optimized my game,” explained the winner.
This gold was not the only haul for China, there was also silver in the mixed doubles – for Wang Xinyu/Zhang Zhizhen.
